Technology-driven gratifications sought through text-messaging among college students in the U.S. and Japan

This study examined uses and gratifications of text-messaging focusing on its media attributes among college students who have grown up with communication technology. It also investigated if technology-driven gratifications sought is related to perceived richness of the channel as well as perceived competence in text communication. First, six technology-driven gratifications sought through text-messaging were identified, and using this scale, data from a total of 329 college students in the U.S. and in Japan via online surveys were analyzed. The results reveal that those who seek technology-driven gratifications are more likely to perceive the channel as rich. In addition, technology-driven gratifications sought is positively related to satisfaction with text-messaging as well as competence in text-messaging in terms of effectiveness across the groups. We also discuss similarities and differences in the use of text-messaging and its outcomes between college students in the U.S. and Japan. •College students seek six technology-driven gratifications through text-messaging.•Those who seek technology-driven gratifications perceive text-messaging as rich.•Technology-driven gratifications sought leads to greater satisfaction.•Technology-driven gratifications sought leads to greater communication effectiveness.•Some differences in text-messaging use between college students in the U.S. and Japan.